Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 measures 36,0 feet overall (1985), giving it roughly 8,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 at 27,8 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 tips the scales at 15 500 lbs — 7 379 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 at 8 121 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 has a 115-hp advantage over the Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 carries 25 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Catalina 362 1985 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 36,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail36.00 ft
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in. (8.48 m)
Length - Feet36
Length - Feet27.83
Length overall - Meters10.97
Length overall - Meters8.48
Length overall - Inches432
Length overall - Inches334
Beam12.60 ft
Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters3.84
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches151
Beam - Inches12
Draft [max] - Detail2.70 ft
Draft [max] - DetailSingle Engine: 25 in. (89 cm) Twin Engine: 33.5 in. (85 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.82
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches33.5
Draft Min2.50 ft
Draft Minnot available
Displacement15500.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.34 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.37
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches54
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 17 in. (48.3 cm) Twin Engine: 20 in. (50.8 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches2
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailDry: 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg) Trailerable: 8,121 lbs. (3,684 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg3683.62
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.8121
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.96
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches77
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]23 ft. 1 in. (6.98 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 8 in. (9 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Engine makeMercruiser
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine model35
Engine model8.1L Gi
Horsepower260 hp
Horsepower375 PSHP
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercruiser
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine Model35
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Horsepower260 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (568 l)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacitynot available
Cabins2
Cabinsnot available
Water capacity1
Water capacity35 gal. (132 l)
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal1
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeChris-Craft
Modelnot available
ModelLaunch 28
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2012
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee